| American |
An American is a person who was born in the United States. Also, some people who come from other countries can become Americans when they pass a test in English that asks questions about the government and history of the United States. [1/2 definitions] |
| capital1 |
A capital is an important city in a country or state. The people who run the government of a country or state work in the capital. [1/2 definitions] |
| capitol |
A capitol is a building where members of a government meet to make laws. |
| citizen |
A citizen is a member of the people of a country. A person can become a citizen either because they are born in the country or because the government accepts them. A citizen of a country can do things that a person who is not a citizen can't do. Only citizens can vote, for example. |
| community |
A community is an area where a group of people live. A community may be a neighborhood or a town. It has a government that makes laws and decides what might be best for everyone living there. [1/2 definitions] |
| country |
A country is a large area of land where people live under the same government. The United States, Canada, and Mexico are some of the countries of the world. [1/2 definitions] |
| county |
In America, a county is a part of a state. Like a city, a county has its own government. A county can have laws that other counties in the same state don't have. |
| government |
Government is the group of people who make decisions and laws for all the people in a town, state, or country. |
| Haiti |
Haiti is an island country in the Caribbean Sea. It shares its island with another country called the Dominican Republic. People in Haiti speak French. Many people make a living in Haiti by growing crops, such as coffee, cocoa or fruits. Some people cut trees in the forest, or do fishing, or mine for gold and other minerals. Many people in the cities work for the government or in small businesses. |
| independent |
When a country is independent, it has its own government, and it is not ruled by another country. [1/2 definitions] |
| law |
A law is any one rule that people must obey. The government of a place makes the laws. When people break a law, they may have to pay money or go to jail. [1/2 definitions] |
| mayor |
A mayor is the head of government in a village, town, or city. |
| nation |
A nation is a country made up of people who live under their own government. |
| office |
When someone has a very important job in government, we say that person "holds an office" in government. The jobs of mayor, governor, and president, for example, are called offices. An office does not change or go away--there is always someone who is mayor or governor or president--but the particular person who fills that office, who does that job, changes. [1/2 definitions] |
| officer |
An officer is a person who has an important position in a company or in a government. An officer has some power over other people and a lot of responsibility. The president of a company is that company's top officer. A mayor is the top officer in the government of a city. [1/2 definitions] |
| party |
A party is also a group of people who have the same opinions and beliefs about how a government should be run. [1/2 definitions] |
| passport |
A passport is something you need when you travel to another country. It looks like a small book with pages. You get a passport from the government of your own country. The passport shows your picture, and it tells who you are and where you are from. If you don't have a passport, you cannot get into another country. [1/2 definitions] |
| president |
The president is the head of the government of a nation. Presidents are chosen by voting. [1/2 definitions] |
| Puerto Rico |
Puerto Rico is an island in the Caribbean Sea. Puerto Rico has its own government, but it is also connected with the United States. Many tourists come to Puerto Rico to enjoy the beauty of the island and its beaches. Spanish is the main language that people speak in Puerto Rico. |
| tax |
A tax is money that people pay to a government. The government uses the money to give services to people and to pay everyone who works for the government. Taxes pay for things like roads, bridges, schools, police, and firefighters. Money from taxes is also used to help old people and others who cannot work anymore. |
| town |
A town is a place where people live and work. It is a place with streets, houses, and buildings. A town also has its own government. A town and a city can be the same thing, but when we think of a town, we usually think of a smaller place with fewer people. |